With the year just starting off, the art scene is bustling with activities in preparation of National Arts Month. The traditionally romantic February will put on a cultural hat and paint the town red with various exhibits, art festivals, film showings, musical performances, concerts, and cultural shows.  The National Arts Month was initiated in January 28, 1991 when Pres. Corazon Aquino issued Presidential Proclamation No. 683, declaring February of every year as the National Arts Month in recognition of the important role arts and culture play in national development. In 1993, Pres. Fidel V. Ramos signed Memorandum No. 117 implementing the Philippine Development Plan for culture and arts, a framework for the institutionalization of resource support for culture and the arts.

Beginning February 1-12, 1998, an exhibit titled, JAPANESE CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS EXHIBITION will be featured at the 2nd Floor Galleries of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).  On display will be ornamental plates, jars, boxes and vessels intricately designed by contemporary Japanese artists.  The exhibit is in collaboration with Japan Foundation Manila.
 

PETA, one of the major theater groups in the country will be presenting DULA DALUYAN ’98, a national theater festival which will showcase original performances from different drama groups of private & public high schools that are members of the Metropolitan Teen Theater League. The said festival will be held at Fort Santiago in Intramuros on February 6-8 and will focus on the theme: Kabataan, Kultura at Karapatan sa Kinabukasan.  For film enthusiasts, PETA and the NCCA Cinema program have prepared a film showing, SINEKAB which will be aired at the Tanghalang Leandro Locsin, NCCA Bldg, Intramuros, Manila.

Moving on from the historic walled city to the seat of modernity—SM Megamall in Ortigas.  From February 9-22, one hundred four (104) visual artworks of the 1998 DIWA NG SINING AWARDS will be on display at the Art Center of the SM Megamall.  The said exhibit will commence with the awarding ceremonies of the winners.  The said competition is in collaboration with Rotary International District 3810. There will  also be PELIKULA AT LIPUNAN, a film showing in collaboration with Mowelfund, Inc. on February 20-26 at the SM Megamall theaters.

Workshops in dance, theater, voice and music will come drumming up in UP Diliman Campus on February 9-13.  Tagged as "ARTS FESTIVAL ’98: SANDAANG TAON NG HIMAGSIKAN", the workshops will feature various forms of art and culture that transpired during the revolution.     On February 19 1998, the NCCA Committee on Literary Arts will present LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL in Don Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Sur.  Among the highlights of the celebration is the HATAW SINING concert series which

will be held in different venueson February 21, 22, 27 &28.  Concert performers will include various dance troupes, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ballet Manila, Edru Abraham and the Kontra-Gapi, Pundaquit Chamber Players, UST Symphony orchestra, Bayang Barrios, Joey Ayala, UP Musika Asya, Yakan Instrumental Ensemble, UP Kasarinlan, Magkukupa Ensemble, and Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.

Put on a festive mood and join in the celebration.  There are a thousand and one reasons to celebrate Philippine culture and the arts!

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